Getting Down to the Wire

I think I have finally completed my introductory overview and display case labels. It was hard to find a balance between eliminating certain information while keeping other information. Hopefully Bethany will not think it is still too long. This week was a busy week for her so I did not have the chance to show her my edits. I told her that my semester is almost over and that my time is just about up at the museum. I am going to try to work hard to get the small exhibit installed next week. It would be a shame to end the internship without seeing the final result of my project.

Thanks for reading,
Erik

Shopping for Display Cases Again

I took a look at the display cases again. I cannot decide if I want to use one or two. There is one case that all four pieces will fit, but I am worried about the overall look. I did not want the case to appear crammed. I want there to be enough space within the case for people to view the pottery from different angles. As I stated earlier, I would like to display the pieces by artistic style. The two bichromes can easily fit into one case, but the large white painted amphora would look amazing in a case alone. What would I do with the other white painted pottery? I am not going to have three cases. I think there is a large enough case that can accommodate both white painted pieces and that the large amphora would look great in. I also looked for a spot in the gallery where the cases could go. There are a couple spaces that would work but I need to speak with Bethany to get her opinion.

Thanks for reading,
Erik

Slow and Steady...

The following week was a slow week. I attempted to find a way to shorten the introductory overview without making it too light. Bethany wanted me to mention the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 since it continues to be a controversial issue. The trick was to avoid sounding bias yet remain truthful. I needed to connect how the invasion affected Cypriot archaeology. When Turkey invaded in 1974 all archaeology activity on the island ceased. Excavation sites, museums, monuments and churches were neglected and vandalized. Many artifacts were illegally imported from the island. Since then, the Department of Antiquities in Cyprus currently keeps an eye the international trade of Cypriot objects. The department repatriates, or attempts to repatriate, stolen lost artifacts. Unfortunately, this is a common problem in the antiquities trade. Since many objects were taken out of their countries of origin illicitly decades ago, museums who bought the artifacts do not have proper provenance. Hopefully next week I will finish my editing.

Thanks for reading,
Erik

Expanding and Editing

This past week I submitted my ideas on the display label cases to Bethany. She liked my progress and requested that I expand my work. For instance, the introduction to the Cyprus pottery includes a general historical overview of Cyprus and the island’s cultural diversity. Cyprus was a crossroads of ancient civilizations; the material culture produced on the island reflects a variety and amalgamation of local and foreign techniques. The overview also includes a brief introduction to Cypriot pottery, in particular Iron Age pottery. Bethany would also like me to create a type of timeline mapping out the stages of Cypriot pottery- a mini typology of Cypriot pottery. She thinks it would be a good idea if people had an educational visual reference to the vessels that will be on display. True, not everyone knows what an amphora, krater, oinochoe and kylix looks like. Below is an example of the type of diagram I might use. The main difficulty I have experience in incorporating Bethany’s suggestions is information overload. Visitors do not always want to spend a lot of time reading masses amount of information on artifacts and exhibitions. The goal is to quickly attract visitors and gain their interests. Pertinent information ought to be included but a cultural and historical overview needs to be limited. So far I have edited my original work but the length is the same since Bethany’s assessment. I will see if I can cut it down further without completely rewriting the introduction.

Thanks for reading,

Erik

How to Keep a Visitor's Attention

      This week I dabbled at creating labels for the display cases. Display labels are designed to be informative and easy to read. The first two sentences should catch the attention of readers and entice visitors to continuing reading about the artifacts. It is harder than it sounds, and I have experienced some creative difficulties. I guess I am so accustomed to academics that I find writing for a diverse age group a bit challenging. Display labels are cleverly written in a manner in which middle grade school students can understand the information just as much as scholars. The information should not be convoluted or intellectually cumbersome. Moreover, labels should complement the overall theme of an exhibit. Indeed, they enlighten visitors of the art historical, social and culture relevance of artifacts. In addition, labels facilitate the direction or flow of information of an exhibition. The pieces and their educational significance ought to take people on a type of social and cultural journey. Hopefully I can create a couple of interesting and stirring labels for the Cyprus pottery.

Erik   

How Many Ceramics Can Fit in a Display Case?

       This week I finally had the opportunity to examine the four pottery pieces. I had to measure the base, width and diameter for each to determine which display cases will be suitable. The Collections Manager, Chris Helms, had to open the shipping carton and hold the antiquities since museum policy prohibits volunteers and interns to handle ancient pottery. Chris admitted that it was his first time viewing the pieces as well. Each is in great condition; from what I can tell they were preserved very well since I did not see signs of extensive repairs. The majority of the pottery was smaller than I thought save for one amphora. Unfortunately I do not know the measurements off the top of my head, but most are no higher than 12”. The large amphora is about 24” in height.

       In addition to measuring the dimensions of the pottery, I also had to find out the measurements of the display cases. The few cases the museum has in storage are perfect in size, but not in condition. Bethany said I can either sand them and paint them black or she would be willing to buy a large one, approx. 38 x 44 x 22”. I suppose it depends how many cases I want to use. Two of the pieces are White Painted ware (the large amphora and the oinochoe) and the other two are Bichrome Ware (the smaller amphora and a jug). I think it would be nice to display the pottery by the typology of wares, thus the large amphora and oinchoe in case and the other amphora and jug in another. There is one display case that is in good condition and I think it would be great for the Bichrome Wares. All the cases are blue, so if I want to use anyone of them I need to sand them and paint them black. There is case that appears to be large enough for both White Painted Wares but I am not sure about the vitrine’s height. I am also undecided if I want to display the White Painted IV Ware amphora by itself. One of the display cases would be perfect for it. That means Bethany would have to purchase a case for the oinchoe. There are two large cases (32 W x 36 D) that would fit all four pieces; both, however, have a few deep notches. If I decide to use one case for all the pottery I would have to figure out what to do with the nicks and gashes. I still am searching around for affordable display cases. Gaylord.com seems to offer a good variety and prices. Below are a couple cases with vitrines I think would be fine.

Erik

Mounts for the Pottery

          The next few stages in my project involve creating mounts for the pottery and selecting proper display cases. For this week I searched the web for easy and inexpensive methods to mount ceramic pottery. When displaying ceramics, especially antiquities, it is important to mount them properly. Vibrations caused by outdoor and indoor movement can cause pottery to ‘walk’ or ‘creep’ causing them to bump into other pieces or fall from the shelf. I found numerous websites that offered various mounting techniques. Mounts that damage artifacts (that scratch, chip, leave residue or alter the current form of the pottery) should always be avoided. The most common materials used in mounts are chamois leather and felt. For instance, sheet of chamois leather can be place under ceramics to prevent movement. Gaylord.com sales self-adhesive felt pieces, which are great for padding mounts wherever they touch artifacts to prevent marking and damage. The site also has self-adhesive suede polyethylene (polysuede), which is thinner than felt but offers more padding and grip. Finally, the National Park Service offers easy instructions on how to construct bottom ring supports for pottery and other round based objects.

           

For next week I need to measure the width of the four pieces to find out how much space is required in the display case(s). Bethany told me that it is my discretion of how many cases I would like to use. Therefore, I also need to evaluate the cases the museum has, and if needed, Bethany will need to purchase one or two.